Japan ska fans know--and now you do too--that Gung-Ho-Gun Midvalley the Hornfreak is based on real-life musician Atsushi Yanaka, baritone sax player with the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. Name: Atsushi Yanaka (The kanji in his surname mean "valley" and "middle.")
Birthdate: December 25, 1966
Hometown: Tokyo
Height: 185 cm (6'1")
Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs.)
Blood Type: A
Lucky Color: Red
Hobby: Allegedly watches a movie a day.
Habit: Sleeps a lot.
Anecdote: Famously, took up the bari sax at the vague encouragement of SkaPara founder Asa-Chang, who suggested that the six-foot Yanaka would "look good" with the outsize instrument. Yanaka joined the band a scant month later.
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Probably best-known stateside for the "Incredible Crisis" (Japanese title "Tondemo Crisis") game soundtrack, or perhaps their contribution to the Lupin III remix album "Punch the Monkey 2," Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (SkaPara for short) are at the heart and soul of Japan's ska scene. Their singles may not make the top 10 charts, but they can be heard in the background of countless commercials and TV shows.
Albums
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (1990) Almost all instrumental, but with a much more traditional ska sound than some of their later albums.
SkaPara Toujou (1990)
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Live (1991)
World Famous (1991)
World Famous Remix (1991)
Pioneers (1993)
Gifted: Winter Selection (1993)
Fantasia (1994)
Tokyo Deluxe Original Soundtrack (1995 movie soundrack)
Grand Prix (1995)
Tokyo Strut (1996)
Moods for Tokyo Ska~We Don't Know What Ska Is!~ (1997)
Arkestra (1998)
Justa Record Compilation Vol. 1 (1999)
Tondemo Crisis! Original Soundtrack (1999 game soundtrack)
Full Tension Beaters (2000)
Gunslingers (2001 live album)
Official Websites
SkaPara.NetYour source for SkaPara tourdates, news, and stuff like that. All in Japanese, though. Recently renovated.
SkaPara@Avex Records Not updated in two years, but the "Reports" page has plenty of photos that are worth a look. I haven't tried the audio/video downloads. Avex also has a bare-bones SkaPara page in English
